School of the Art Institute of Chicago vs. Northern Illinois

Comparable Facts

Compare School of the Art Institute of Chicago in Chicago, IL with Northern Illinois University in Dekalb, IL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Northern Illinois University is larger than School of the Art Institute of Chicago based on total student enrollment (15,414 students vs. 3,394 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• School of the Art Institute of Chicago is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); Northern Illinois University is in Dekalb, IL (Small Suburban setting).
• School of the Art Institute of Chicago is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Northern Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: School of the Art Institute of Chicago 10:1; Northern Illinois University 15:1.

School of the Art Institute of Chicago vs. Northern Illinois Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, School of the Art Institute of Chicago or Northern Illinois? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Illinois University than School of the Art Institute of Chicago ($14,243 vs. $55,631).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northern Illinois University are 14.4% lower than at School of the Art Institute of Chicago ($14,160 vs. $16,550).
• School of the Art Institute of Chicago is 325.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Northern Illinois (about $43,172 more per year; $56,420.00 vs. $13,248.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 325.9% higher at School of the Art Institute of Chicago than at Northern Illinois University (about $43,172 more per year; $56,420.00 vs. $13,248.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at School of the Art Institute of Chicago than at Northern Illinois University (99% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by School of the Art Institute of Chicago students is 39.4% larger than aid received by Northern Illinois University students ($20,050 vs. $14,387).

School of the Art Institute of Chicago vs. Northern Illinois Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, School of the Art Institute of Chicago or Northern Illinois? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Northern Illinois and School of the Art Institute of Chicago.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at School of the Art Institute of Chicago (1150) is 90 points higher than at Northern Illinois (1060).
• Incoming School of the Art Institute of Chicago students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 22 at Northern Illinois).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: School of the Art Institute of Chicago 1048/1260; Northern Illinois University 940/1170.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: School of the Art Institute of Chicago 22/25; Northern Illinois University 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: School of the Art Institute of Chicago - Test-free; Northern Illinois - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: School of the Art Institute of Chicago Nov 15, 2026; Northern Illinois Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman School of the Art Institute of Chicago students have a 0.21 point higher average high school GPA (3.51) than students at Northern Illinois (3.3).
• School of the Art Institute of Chicago has a higher acceptance rate (77.5%) than Northern Illinois (69.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.8% at School of the Art Institute of Chicago vs. 12.1% at Northern Illinois.

School of the Art Institute of Chicago vs. Northern Illinois Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for School of the Art Institute of Chicago and Northern Illinois? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• School of the Art Institute of Chicago's six-year graduation rate (60%) is higher than Northern Illinois University's (56%).
• Graduates from Northern Illinois University earn a median of about $8,500 more per year than School of the Art Institute of Chicago graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,600 vs. $39,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northern Illinois University graduates have a $1,854 lower median loan debt than School of the Art Institute of Chicago graduates ($23,859 vs. $25,713).
• Among borrowers, Northern Illinois graduates have an estimated $19 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than School of the Art Institute of Chicago graduates ($246 vs. $265).
• More School of the Art Institute of Chicago graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northern Illinois students, three years after graduation. (62% vs. 61%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.